Huntsville Native Andrew Hobbs’ Reaction to Boston Manhunt

BOSTON, Mass (WHNT) – WHNT spoke with a Huntsville native Andrew Hobbs earlier this week, just after the Boston bombing.

WHNT news 19’s Venton Blandin talked with the Grissom High School graduate about what it’s like living so close to this morning’s fire-fight between the suspects and officers.

It played out 2 miles from Hobbs’ home.

“It started pretty early. I’ve probably been awake since 5 or 6 o’clock. I started getting messages from a friend who works in the army up here. She was getting lots of updates,” said Hobbs.

Hobbs spent the day watching lots of news and searching the internet. He’s lived and worked in the Boston area for a year.

“I feel like I am doing my part in staying out of the elements. We’re just lowering the factor involved with the search. The less people out there, the less people they have to comb through,” said Hobbs.

Hobbs missed the gunfire but he heard the constant sound of sirens later in the day.

He also noticed another sound.

“It’s been very eerily quiet. The only thing I can hear are the birds. That is very unnatural for this college town. There is usually heavy foot traffic. There is nothing right now,” said Hobbs.

Hobbs is scheduled to return to Huntsville on Saturday.

“My girlfriend is actually going with me and we are really excited to get out of the city. A few days to kind of decompress in the comfort of the Tennessee Valley,” said Hobbs.